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Go Out in Joy by Larner	10 Review(s)
Antane	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 4/27/2007
For me--he has become the shining example of courage and endurance beyond hope Me too - and for some many others. I was just fine until the drawing of the shroud over the head and then that made it so much more real and final and there was a cry sent up in my heart of No... But so must we all leave one day. Love that Sam would not be worried about a grave on the Hill - he is most correct that is the best place for his beloved brother's body, for Frodo's heart to remain with a large chunk of Sam's and Merry's and Pippin's and a bit of everyone's whose lives he touched - and Rosie to say he would not want a coffin. Though he would have been honored by many in the West, it seems more fitting for him to have accepted the Gift at home. That was a polite way in the previous chapter of referencing Bartolo's harsh words - I remember your request and wrote it into my will. I hope helping to carry the bier will help realize how noble Frodo was. Namarie, God bless, Melinyel, Antane :) Author Reply: Whether Frodo stayed or went, either way it would be as death separating him from those he loved. And, either way, he would know the healing Love in the end to bring him to fulfillment indeed. No, Sam wouldn't worry about a grave on the Hill, and would rejoice to know Frodo's body rested where he loved to be and where he was himself loved. And I doubt Frodo would openly throw Bartolo's words back in his face--enough to give the gentle reminder and remonstrance, I think. This would help Barti to his own healing, particularly when he found much of Frodo mirrored in the Man now King who so openly loved Frodo and accepted him, finally getting through to him how much Frodo had treasured his honesty in a Shire where so much had gone bad during that year of absence.

Baggins Babe	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/20/2007
So sad but so perfectly right for Frodo to be buried there, above Bag End, guardian of the Shire he loves, and fitting that so many should come to pay their respects. The speeches from Aragorn, Saradoc and Paladin were very moving and I'm glad Bartolo has allowed himself to let go of his resentment - and that he has become the King's man.....er....hobbit. Even in death Frodo is having a positive effect on others. A wonderful story, and the ending with Sam and Frodo reunited was utterly wonderful. I sat here sniffling and grinning like a fool! Author Reply: I'm so very glad you found these details right, BB. In this story, with more aware of what was done out there and the Shire's part in the entire conflict, I think Frodo's influence would have the chance to be felt more clearly afterwards. And am so very glad you felt the reunion was wonderful. That little nuzgul was right about that being needed. Am so very glad it gladdened you so.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/18/2007
The hill atop Bag End was the perfect place to bury Frodo, as he so often went there to find peace and quiet and watch the stars. Was glad Aragorn started the discussion about It, as it certainly helped the others to learn and understand a bit more about what happened, what I found rather satisfying. The same goes for what he said in the pavilion, particularly about what Frodo did to safeguard all of Middle-earth. You probably know already that I was never happy how much Frodo was ignored by most of the Shire-folk. Anyway, I thought Aragorn’s speech - as well as these of Paladin and Saradoc - was very touching, and I am glad the hobbits had the chance to get to know their King a little bit. And I was glad Paladin allowed the Rangers to enter the Shire, so they could pay their respects to Frodo, too – as much for Frodo’s sake as for their own. Author Reply: Oh, indeed, the Hill was the proper place. And I certainly agree about the Hobbits of the Shire needing to better appreciate what was done "out there" and how all four Travelers were such heroes in the eyes of so many. It's one reason Aragorn sent Ruvemir into the Shire and Frodo sent Bartolo out of it, I think. Nor do I think Thain, Master, and Mayor would think to exclude Men from the chance to pay their respects, considering what they now know about Frodo's standing outside the Shire. And am so glad you appreciated Aragorn's eulogy for Frodo. Thank you so much, Kitty.

Queen Galadriel	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/17/2007
Oh, I want to cry, but I have no tears. I almost feel as if I've lived through this with all the rest. Maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but every character, image, and emotion is so vivid. Aragorn's speech was truly wonderful, as were those of the Master and Thain. I loved how each told of his relationship to Frodo and something of what Frodo meant to him. And the burial, while (to me) heart-wrenching, was beautiful as well, and as Frodo would have wanted, though I'm sure he wouldn't be unhappy to know he missed out on being there to be viewed by half the Shire and more besides. :) I so appreciate your prayers. I've heard plenty of first-hand stories about the difficulties blind people can have in finding jobs (though mostly the battle seems to lie in convincing others that they are capable). And quite honestly, at this point, little insignificant, everyday things that wouldn't normally bother me have been building up and chafing until I feel washed out and don't even want to think about climbing that mountain. But I have to do this, because I want to go to college, and I really, really need a new laptop. I don't know what I'll do if this one literally crumbles away (and I wouldn't be surprised either, if it did). I should really get a wireless internet card for the PM, but it does have a tendency to do the weirdest things, and has recently proved itself very untrustworthy--by eating my novel-in-progress. (I did get it back; I was able to reassemble it from the scattered backup on the laptop.) Well, nothing in life is certain... God bless, Galadriel Author Reply: Once again, learning I've truly been able to help others know depth of emotion is among the greatest gratifications I can know. In ancient Athens they held a drama contest every year during the feast of Dionysus, and the point of the plays presented was specifically to bring the members of the audience to know as many emotions as possible, as deeply as possible. This was believed to be needed to achieve catharsis--a cleansing of the emotions allowing folk to be better able to face day to day life, and to assist people to know appropriate empathy with others. Certainly in making the movies Jackson and the entire great company of those who assisted in the making of the films reached that goal of full emotional involvement; and each time I watch them I'm drawn into them again, as I've ever been with the books as well. I'm very honored to realize I've approached that goal myself. The actual burial was simple and straightforward, although the lying in state would perhaps have appalled Frodo. The shroud burial is actually from my own original story, so if I EVER get it finished being written and published, you'll undoubtedly appreciate it. And I'll continue praying for you as you approach graduation and going out on your own. As for technical problems--you KNOW I've had more than enough of my own to understand. To find that my colleage Sam had managed to preserve so many of the stories on the hard drive for the Toshiba laptop, and then to finally have them find the hard drives for my old desktop and get it running as well--I've been able to at least reconstitute my library files, which is a great relief, as well as being able to get into many of my home school lesson plans I'd used with former students and my braille files as well. I'll send you the braille files for the descriptive scripts for the three films, if you wish.

Andrea	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/17/2007
Yes, I think Frodo would have liked the graveside Sam chose for him, on top of the hill he liked so much, under the stars. That's where his heart lay, not in Buckland. I was very impressed by the speeches of Aragorn, the Master and the Thain. All three were very honest and one could imagine how deeply they loved Frodo. “I grieve to have lost him, particularly when I only now begin to fully understand just how truly marvelous he was.” That was perfect! And I think it is true not only for Paladin, but also for others, Narcissa for example - and Barti. The funeral was impressive and moving and once again I think Frodo would have appreciated it that way. And now to read the epilogue... Author Reply: Oh, there could be no more appropriate grave site for Frodo anywhere, I think, not even by his parents' grave or graves (I've always imagined them being buried together, myself). And these were the eulogies the Shire needed to hear, I think. I like to imagine the Shire better informed that Tolkien showed it about what happened "out there." Am so glad you especially appreciate Paladin's final sentiments. And I tried to achieve a balance between ceremony and simplicity in keeping with Frodo's nature. I hope he'd have appreciated it. Thank you so much!

elanor winterflowers	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/17/2007
How exquisitely lovely. I particularly love that the ceremonies are so carefully designed to honor the simplicity of Frodo's nature and the Shire's traditions, and how, in being carried out, they assume the elegance, beauty and light of his being. How lucky for the Shire to know these moments of transcendence. Heartbreaking, and heart healing, too. Author Reply: I am greatly honored, Elanor. Thank you so very much!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/17/2007
Frodo can't fade into obscurity in this version of events, can he? Between the number of those who came to honour him and the stories they tell, word will spread from Hobbiton to fill the Shire. Even if some find it difficult to credit, they will have heard it. It might change their perception of Sam, too. People now know that he is a Lord of the Free Peoples - whatever that might mean - and is honoured by the King as well as the Men, Elves and Dwarves who have come among them. They can see that he is honoured over Merry and Pippin - and that they are honoured themselves. And I wonder if Frodo would have liked that... Maybe. He didn't think Sam took enough honour to himself. But he would probably have preferred that the Shire remained ignorant of what had occurred Out There. Author Reply: By choosing to remain Frodo indeed doomed himself to be understood perhaps a bit better, indeed. In canon it wasn't till the meeting at the Bridge, fifteen years into his reign, that the folk of the Shire had the chance to see just how close Sam and Merry and Pippin were to their new King; this way it becomes obvious right away, as well as the grief all feel toward Frodo's demise. Frodo would have loved knowing the honor given Sam was now being spoken of throughout the Shire, I think; but he would be appalled indeed to realize his reputation outside the Shire was known within it as well. Thanks so for the feedback.

harrowcat	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/17/2007
I think Frodo would have been so pleased by the concord reached over his grave-site. And the decision to let the rangers in to pay their respects. And to have his bier in the party field where it properly all began for him was inspired. And... And.... I can't quote all of it! Jet sends his sympathies to mama-dog. He hates washing and his male-ego shivers at the thought of a pedicure! And I shiver at the thought of trying to keep him still enough to give him one! Author Reply: I'm so very glad you feel Frodo would have been pleased, although I suspect he would also have known a degree of embarrassment as well. As for the bier in the Party Field--well, I couldn't think of a better place for it to lie--the village grange hall would have been too far, particularly, I think, for Sam's comfort. Kerry sends her thanks to Jet. Still haven't found the nail clippers, and it's a thankless task when she's involved, I've found. She HATES having her nails done, and lets her displeasure be known generally.

Linda Hoyland	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/17/2007
Aragorn's speech was very moving and it was a lovely image of him with Sam at the grave. I liked the way you described Frodo's love of the Shire, I feel like that about my own home. Author Reply: Thank you, Linda. I'm glad Aragorn's emotion was so clearly stated, and these two are the principal mourners, after all. Now the folk of the Shire can no longer ignore the fact Frodo loved them profoundly.

Althea	Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 3/16/2007
You've got me all teary again. Sam's choice of burial place was perfect. Aragron's speech to the inhabitants of Hobbiton was very moving as were those of the Master and the Thain. I love the fact that so many dwarves and men and elves came to pay their respects. This was a very sad chapter, but also a very rewarding one because now so many more understand the many ways in which Frodo was heroic. Author Reply: I'm so glad you felt it has the feeling of rightness to it. Frodo's a hero to Elves and Dwarves as well as the Rohirrim and the Dunedain, as the attacks on their kingdoms failed when the Ring went into the fire they were at last relieved. And I truly think the Shire ought not to have been allowed to remain in basic ignorance of what Frodo and the others accomplished. Now there's a sizable core of individuals who've heard firsthand, and more who will learn from them.

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